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archives | submit an article | editorial staff Friday, May 21, 2010 |
» Budget approved, including 4.5 percent raise
» Trustees honor Burke
» Tuition to increase 8 percent
» Memorial tribute to Volf Roitman on display
» New Vet Tech building going up on Ulmerton Road
» Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival to visit Seminole Campus
» An opportunity to thank President Tom Furlong for a job well done
» Perception Matters workshop
» Business Services deadlines
» Meeting notices
Law takes office June 7
Dr. Bill Law Jr. will begin his SPC presidency June 7. Law and the SPC Board of Trustees agreed to his employment contract during the trustees’ meeting Tuesday, May 18. Board Chairman Terry Brett and Law will sign the contract after a few minor details are resolved. The contract runs through June 30, 2013, with Law’s performance to be evaluated annually.
As president, Law’s base salary will be $330,000 a year and the college will contribute up to $85,000 a year toward an annuity for his retirement. In addition, the college will provide him a vehicle.
From 1981 to 1988, Law was vice president of institutional and program planning at what was then St. Petersburg Junior College. He also taught courses in microcomputer applications, and a freshman composition course.
Before joining SPC, Law had been serving as president of Tallahassee Community College since 2002. During his time at TCC, the college broke ground on the 85,000-square foot Ghazvini Center for Health Care Education, which will allow students to study diagnostic medical sonography, emergency medical services, nursing, radiologic technology and respiratory care through cutting edge technology. The college also established the Florida Public Safety Institute and the Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, a joint effort between TCC and the Economic Development Council of Tallahassee and Leon County.
Law also spent 10 years as the first president of Montgomery College (now Lone Star College—Montgomery) in Texas. In addition to planning and developing the college, Law designed the first university center for the college district, resulting in a 78,000-square foot facility at Montgomery College that offers 28 bachelors and 26 masters degrees through a consortium of six Texas universities.
Budget approved, including 4.5 percent raise
SPC employees will see their first pay increase in three years. The college’s Board of Trustees approved a 4.5 percent pay increase at their May 18 meeting. More details will be announced after the June BOT meeting.
"I am glad we were able to do this," said Trustee Ken Burke.
In approving the raises, the board also approved the budget for 2010-11. This year, SPC is slated to receive a 4.3 percent funding increase from the state, thanks to the foresight of lawmakers who increased funding for state colleges by 7 percent.
 Board Chairman Terry Brett honors Vice Chairman Ken Burke. |
Trustees honor Burke
At the May 18 meeting, board members also honored Vice Chairman Ken Burke for his outstanding contributions as an SPC trustee. Burke has been a trustee since 1999.
“We extend to him our gratitude and appreciation for his tireless and committed service to St. Petersburg College,” said Board Chairman Terry Brett. “He has been very committed to St. Petersburg College.”
Burke was an SPC student at the Clearwater Campus in 1977, earning his associate of arts degree in 1979. A member of numerous civic boards and organizations, Burke was elected Pinellas County Clerk of the Court in 2005. He most recently served as vice chairman of SPC’s 2010 Presidential Search Committee.
Tuition to increase 8 percent
SPC’s Board of Trustees approved tuition hikes of 8 percent on Tuesday. Unless vetoed by the governor, in-state tuition for lower division courses will go to $94.08 per credit hour, up from $87.12. In-state tuition for upper division courses will be $101.72 per credit hour, up from $94.95. Out-of-state residents will now pay $341.65 per credit hour for lower division courses, and $391.93 per credit hours for upper division courses. The new tuition rates take effect beginning fall 2010.
Tuition at SPC is still a better deal than at state universities, where the average cost per credit hour is $145. Most of the institutions have indicated they will increase their tuition by as much as 15 percent for the coming year, leaving SPC as a solid choice for students pursuing undergraduate degrees.
Memorial tribute to Volf Roitman on display
A Memorial Tribute exhibition to Volf Roitman is on display at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art through July 18. Roitman, who died April 25, had a 60-year career as an internationally known artist and he consistently worked in a style of geometric abstraction called MADI.
New Vet Tech building going up on Ulmerton Road
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A new 32,768-square-foot Veterinary Technology Special Purpose Center is expected to open by fall 2011 for SPC’s Veterinary Technology Program. Work is expected to begin June 1 at the site, which will be located next to Pinellas County Animal Services on Ulmerton Road in Largo. The St. Petersburg College Foundation purchased the land in April.
“The location and new building gives us big advantages,” said Richard Flora, Dean of SPC’s School of Veterinary Technology. “Being so close to Animal Services will make it much more convenient for our students, and will let us become more involved with them.”
The building also allows for a 4,500-square-foot future expansion, possibly with the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine. The building will include:
• three classrooms, including two lecture/computer labs and one computer classroom/collaborative lab
• three labs and associated prep/storage areas: one each for anatomy dissection, clinical pathology and animal procedures
• associated animal spaces and surgical suite for cats, dogs and birds
• office space for a dean, two program directors, 11 faculty, and shared space for 10 adjunct faculty and associated administrative, conference and work spaces.
Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival to visit Seminole Campus
On Saturday, June 12, the Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and the Suncoast Sierra Club will host the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival at SPC’s Seminole Campus.
The festival, North America’s largest environmental film festival, shows different award-winning short films of topical interest each night, and will feature music, refreshments and door prizes. The event will be from 7 to 9 at the campus’ University Partnership Center.
Tickets are $10 ($8 for students with ID) and can be purchased at Wilcox Nursery, 12501 Indian Rocks Road in Largo and at the door.
An opportunity to thank President Tom Furlong for a job well done
 SPC President Tom Furlong |
Mark your calendars and plan to attend a cake and punch reception on May 27 to honor Interim President Tom Furlong for his leadership during our time of presidential transition.
The reception is in the board room at the EpiCenter from 4:30-6 p.m. The entire SPC family is invited.
Furlong came to SPC in 2001 to oversee the formation and development of the college’s four-year degrees, and has served as Senior Vice President for Baccalaureate Programs and University Partnerships until his retirement last year. He has been interim president since Jan. 1.
He will continue to work with incoming President Bill Law throughout the month of June. Law is expected to begin his presidency on June 7.
Perception Matters workshop
Like it or not, people form judgments about you based on your behavior, attitude and appearance. The perceptions you convey to others – positive or negative – can help you succeed or can ruin your credibility and hold you back.
Last month, Staff and Professional Development was pleased to host professional image consultant Kelly Machbitz. She helped faculty and staff at the EpiCenter and St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus understand how we influence others’ perceptions of us in positive ways. Here’s a look at some of the feedback collected from anonymous surveys after the sessions:
“I’m more conscious of the fact that what I say may be interpreted differently than the way I intended it. Knowing this helps avoid confrontations and miscommunications.”
“Learning specifics of how my wardrobe choices may be perceived was eye-opening.”
“I have learned how to dress for that next level up interview.”
If you did not have a chance to participate in one of the first two sessions, there are three more opportunities to attend. The event is open to all SPC faculty and staff, and each session goes from 8:30–11:15 a.m. You will walk away from this workshop with practical insights on:
- First impressions
- Appearance and success
- Image breakers
- Positive and negative communication
All you need to do to attend is get your supervisor’s approval and then register using one of the links below. (Note: You do not have to work at the site in order to attend the session there.)
- Clearwater Campus – May 28
- St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus – June 4
- Health Education Center – June 7
If you have any further questions, contact Eric Sierra (ext. 3228) or Matthew Stewart (ext. 3116).
Business Services deadlines
May 28 is the deadline to submit all other 2010 purchase orders; requisitions submitted after this date will be funded from 2011 budgets.
June 7 is the deadline to submit check requests for goods, services, etc. for the period if July 01, 2009-June 7, 2010.
June 11 is the deadline to change custodianship on existing capital assets for 2010.
Meeting notices
The Development Committee for the Board of Directors of the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art will meet on Wednesday, June 9 at 3 p.m. in the Interactive Gallery of the museum to discuss general business.
The St. Petersburg College Board of Trustees will have a meeting on Tuesday, June 15 at 8:30 a.m. at the EpiCenter, room 1-453.
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